Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

[hampsteadclaret]

Have any posters on here got any information or advice, from their own experiences, with regard to this medical problem?

I have read plenty online and elsewhere, but first hand knowledge will be worth listening to.

Thank you.

[HatfieldClaret]

My wife reckons i have it. I think it's down to being overweight mainly.

[Wile E Coyote]

hamstead, mate of mine has had dealings with this, have just messaged him, when he replies, I will forward the info.

[jurek]

I had OSA for over two years up until about 18 months ago.
I wasn't even aware I had it but my wife was and alerted it to me.
I went to see the doctor and after subsequent tests at the local hospital was diagnosed with OSA.

I had to wear a mask at night and have to say it was uncomfortable and I found it difficult
to get to sleep and keep it on during the whole night.

OSP can be caused by a number of things I believe but in my case I think it was mainly brought on by
me being overweight. Or at least that's what I ended up believing. The consultant also said that
being overweight was more than likely to be the reason for it.
Fatty tissues build up in certain places and restrict your breathing to the point where
you actually stop breathing for a period of time. In my case not for too long, possibly a few seconds
but rarely for much longer. But it can occur all during the night.

It started to subside, albeit I wasn't that aware of it, when I started to lose weight.
And towards the end of the second year and after a reasonable amount of weight loss
which I estimate to be approx. 20 -25 pounds I was tested again and told it had stopped.

I don't think it has completely stopped, or at least my wife thinks it hasn't but I no longer have to wear
the damned mask and feel relatively well.

The key thing for me, was to get myself tested alongside a full diagnosis.
And, of course, to start losing weight.

There maybe other solutions which are more appropriate for others especially if weight isn't an issue
but, if it is, then it seems losing a stone or so (depending on how overweight you may be) may be the best solution.

[tybfc]

My wife reckons i have it. I think it's down to being overweight mainly.

My wife reckons I have it.

I think it's down to having a wife.

[Rowls]

Old-fashioned cure #1 - Lose weight if excess tissue is causing the problem
Old-fashioned cure #2 - Sew a walnut into the small of the back on your pyjamas. Stops you sleeping on your back.

[tim_noone]

My wife reckons I have it.

I think it's down to having a wife.

spot on!

[Jakubclaret]

Reducing alcohol intake before bed is meant to be beneficial not sure if true so I've heard.

[Jakubclaret]

Old-fashioned cure #1 - Lose weight if excess tissue is causing the problem
Old-fashioned cure #2 - Sew a walnut into the small of the back on your pyjamas. Stops you sleeping on your back.

Does it have to be a walnut or will a similar small object suffice?

[Rowls]

Anything large enough for you to notice it and wake you up if you lie on your back but small enough so that rolling over won't wake you up.

It's a tricky balance to strike. I'm not 100% convinced it represents a practical solution. I think I actually saw it on a TV (fictional drama, not a documentary) possibly Jonathan Creek. :/

However, if I suffered from this problem I'd be willing to give it a go.

[Pedro]

After many years of constant snoring and occasionally waking myself up out of breath, my wife persuaded me to see my GP. I'm not overweight nor drink excessively. The GP referred me to ENT at the hospital.

My appt was a couple of weeks ago, with the initial diagnosis being a small chance of sleep apnoea but my excessive snoring is down to an abnormally large (not long) tongue! Coupled with a large soft palette!

However, the consultant wants me to have a sleeping assessment to ensure that it's not sleep apnoea at all. Once that's confirmed then to potentially reduce my snoring (60% chance of success) I'd have to have an operation under general anaesthetic to remove excess tissue from my soft palette.

It seems a bit extreme to me so I've told the wife she'll have to put up with my snoring!

[Claretforshaw]

I was diagnosed with sleep apnoea about 5 years ago after being assessed with a ridiculously high level of stopping breathing every night and getting about 4/5 hours of sleep. I do recall that I used to have really horrific and realistic nightmare type dreams that was the brains clever way of waking me up to start breathing again. The lack of sleep over a long period of time was probably also instrumental in my having a heart attack 3 years ago.

Since being diagnosed I have happily used my CPAP machine every night, now averaging about 7-9 hours a night of quality sleep and feel much better for it. The mask is a bit of a nuisance but you soon get used to it and I take it everywhere I go, you could say it is now my very best friend and sleeping Partner !

Another benefit (for me and Wife) is that it is a jolly good excuse to have your own room.

[Baldrick claret]

I suffered with it seems to be caused when I get past a certain weight, I could literally fall asleep mid sentence of a conversation I was that tired. Had the mask after attending sleep hospital at oxford, got myself fitter, trained for and did the London marathon in my day wheelchair, 2014. Various injuries and the builders in in to adapt my house curtailed me going to gym since last August. Result put more weight on again and last night apparently I was apnoering again. Bugger got to start all over again not easy at nearly 63!! CLARETS have made me feel better though this season, really quite enjoyed most of it.